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Whoever came up with the idea that we need to eat three times a day got it wrong. We technically don’t need to. Intermittent fasting has been one of the best things that’s happened to me. If you think you’re incapable of skipping a meal or waiting a long time between meals, let me share some reasons why you should reconsider.
My introduction to fasting wasn’t by choice—it was born out of necessity.
When I was drowning in debt, my spending was completely out of control. Swiping my credit cards felt limitless. See a camera I liked? I bought it. Something online caught my eye? Added to cart. Hungry and didn’t feel like cooking? I’d head out for a big breakfast, convincing myself I was getting my money’s worth.
It wasn’t until I had to start paying down that debt that fasting became a necessary sacrifice. Without even realizing it, it became part of my routine. Later on, I learned that for it to be successful, you’re supposed to go at least 14 hours without eating. I’m glad I didn’t know about that back then. If I had, I might have given up before I even started.
But life works in mysterious ways, and I found myself fasting without even realizing it.
Related Post: 3 of My Biggest Financial Mistakes and What I Learned From Them
Table of Contents
My Routine Is As Simple As It Gets
I don’t eat until noon, and until then, I just have coffee. But I’m flexible; I don’t force myself to stick to strict times. Some days, I’ll break my fast a little earlier, and other days, I might extend it a few more hours. I try listening to my body and let it guide me.
In the evening, I’ll have dinner, and maybe something light later on, like crackers, soup, or olives, to curb any cravings before I wrap up my day.
Why Should You Try Fasting?
These days, I’m far more productive in the mornings, no longer weighed down by breakfast. The more I eat, the more tired and sluggish I feel, but now I avoid that deep, uncomfortable hunger while waiting for my next meal. Instead, I’m more mindful of my food choices, and I no longer crave fast food or sweets.
Pairing intermittent fasting with some routine exercise or daily activities can lead to visible changes in just a few weeks. You’ll notice your waist shrinking, fat shedding off, your face becoming more defined, and, best of all, an improvement in mental clarity.
What I find most beneficial about intermittent fasting, though, is how much it reduces pain and
Oh man, I wish I had discovered this earlier. With the amount of pain I’ve dealt with, this would’ve been a no-brainer.
As an ex-marathon and obstacle runner, I’ve seen four orthopedists, and none could pinpoint why I was in pain. They did all the usual X-rays and found nothing. Their conclusion? I was at the early stage of my adult journey; welcome to arthritis. It’s been so long now, I can’t even remember the last time I felt knee pain.
The Challenges
While it’s great to do, it also comes with it’s challenges. The food craving part is not the hardest part; it’s the mental shift. You may not be able to handle it in the short term, but with discipline, it’s possible.
Yes, in the beginning, there’s been many times I crashed where my body and brain weren’t on the same page. If I choose to hold on, I tend to eat way more throughout the day. Having my half-water gallon with me everywhere has been extremely helpful. It will change your focus and thought as it will keep you busy urinating every now and then. Because of this, you won’t need to make any impulse spending.
Tips for Beginners
Like everything else, change doesn’t happen overnight (unless you win the lottery—wink). It takes time and discipline.
Start by reducing your morning food intake and staying hydrated throughout the day. Don’t deprive yourself; practice moderation. For example, if you buy a foot-long sandwich, eat half and save the rest. This helps control cravings and portion sizes.
Fasting also comes with financial perks. Living in New York, the average breakfast costs around $15. If you skip breakfast for two work weeks, that’s $150 saved, assuming you eat out daily. It’s a win for both your health and your wallet.
Intermittent fasting has been life-changing for me, and I hope this inspires you to give it a try.
Have you ever tried intermittent fasting, or do you have any routines that help you stay productive and healthy? I’d love to hear about your experiences or any tips you’ve found helpful.
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Gio founded TheGrowthFocusedGuy in January 2020 because he was fed up with debt.
His mission is to document his journey to Financial Independence in order to motivate and inspire others to get out of debt and begin building generational wealth.
